Web design kick the tires

Web Design Kick The Tires

Website design is a purely personal expression. When you work with a designer you are attempting to pass along your vision for the website in the hopes that they can capture that vision and bring it to life. Often what you get doesnt really coincide with your vision, but its a website so you may not get too upset.

Often the process of wed design is a bit like attempting to reinvent the wheel. Sure, it may be a rather unique wheel with lots of technical gadgets, but the t...

web design,site design,website development,make a website,build website

Website design is a purely personal expression. When you work with a designer you are attempting to pass along your vision for the website in the hopes that they can capture that vision and bring it to life. Often what you get doesnt really coincide with your vision, but its a website so you may not get too upset.

Often the process of wed design is a bit like attempting to reinvent the wheel. Sure, it may be a rather unique wheel with lots of technical gadgets, but the truth is the wheel has already been invented.

If we continue the wheel (tire) analogy we see that the tire can be improved with various tread designs, shapes and sizes, but in the end it is still a tire.

When you go to buy a tire do you look for the best value or the most expensive one available? Chances are you probably do some comparison shopping first. You take into account the amount of miles you can expect from the tire, what sore of road conditions the tire is best suited for and, of course, you will be interested in the overall price associated with the tire.

Before mass marketing there was a time when everything had to be hand crafted. Each individual piece was made specifically for the item being produced. When you received the product you could be guaranteed it was one of a kind. Can you imagine having to visit a Vulcanized Rubbersmith who had to forge tires made specifically for your vehicle?

Even typing that last line seems absurd, yet it is this exact mentality that is prevalent in web design. Many ecommerce stores approach web design in the same way you might approach our proverbial Vulcanized Rubbersmith.

There is an option available that does not require the time and money of a traditional web design option, yet the more accessible option is either ignored or remains misunderstood.

Web builder technology allows you to essentially customize an existing tire. You can determine which options you want, you can access them personally and forge the site into a personally crafted vision.

The wheel doesnt need to be reinvented, but along with all the other alternatives you might want to investigate template rich web building options. They are always available at a reduced price and often offer options that may be unavailable (or extremely costly) in a traditional web design option.

Compare price, features and function before making a decision. And unlike traditional web design options you can even take web-building technology for a test drive.

 

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Web design information

Web Design Information

Web design is simpler than ever, and that's a good thing. Creating an HTML Page A web page is created using a language called, Hypertext Markup Language, better known as HTML Code. The key to creating a successful web site is to only use tips and codes that will enhance your visitors experience on your web site. I think it's the way forward for web design. Making a web page that works requires a lot of sensitivity to the various forces at work. As web site designers, we alway...

web, design, html, help

Web design is simpler than ever, and that's a good thing. Creating an HTML Page A web page is created using a language called, Hypertext Markup Language, better known as HTML Code. The key to creating a successful web site is to only use tips and codes that will enhance your visitors experience on your web site. I think it's the way forward for web design. Making a web page that works requires a lot of sensitivity to the various forces at work. As web site designers, we always try to create a web site navigation scheme that (a) is consistent throughout the entire web site and (b) allows the site's visitors to find what they are searching for quickly and easily. Many web newbies understand that blue, underlined text is a hyperlink. Get control over your web page's fonts. If the font you use is not available in a visitors computer the web site will use the default font of your computer which is much worse. So try to keep to common and professional web fonts. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on se

Many graphic designers who specialize in print design like to show off their design talent by creating beautiful image maps that are slow to download. Another advantage for using image maps for site navigation is that graphic designers can show a bit more creativity in designing an image map compared to designing a set of navigation buttons. Usually Netscape gives some problems, especially when you try doing complicated HTML designs. Although learning HTML and some basic web site design techniques is very important, if you want to add special effects to your web pages, you will need to learn some additional coding techniques, such as using CSS and JavaScript. Today's simple, bold, elegant page designs deliver more with less:They enable designers to shoot straight for the site's goals, by guiding the site visitor's eye through the use of fewer, well-chosen visual elements. Apple's design has always used a great balanced combination of tone (d

Not only will learning HTML coding provide you with the freedom to update your own HTML documents, but it will also save you a great deal of money, as you will be able to avoid hiring a professional web designer. Writing code by hand also ensures that you write the leanest code possible, which is the ultimate aim of all HTML geeks. But fear not: HTML has one of the easiest learning curves youll ever come across and you can create a basic web page with only a couple of lines.

 

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Web design in manchester

Web Design In Manchester

Manchester is the capital of the county of Lancashire and is the largest city in the North West England. It is located 200 miles northwest of London and 30 miles from Liverpool. It has three premier league football teams, Manchester United and Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers. One of its major sports stadiums the Old Trafford is home to Manchester United which is the most famous football club in the world. The other major sports stadium is home to Lancashire County Crick...

web design, telford web design

Manchester is the capital of the county of Lancashire and is the largest city in the North West England. It is located 200 miles northwest of London and 30 miles from Liverpool. It has three premier league football teams, Manchester United and Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers. One of its major sports stadiums the Old Trafford is home to Manchester United which is the most famous football club in the world. The other major sports stadium is home to Lancashire County Cricket Club. The 2002 Commonwealth Games, were hosted in Manchester which boosted tourism and visitors

Greater Manchester boasts over 50 museums and galleries and has the largest concentration of theatres in the UK outside London. It contains the UKs largest university which has over 30,000 students. The attraction to Manchester for students began in the 80s when many bands from Manchester were making headlines. Bands such as The Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, The Smiths and Oasis all made their mark on Manchester around this time and this gave Manchester University the highest population of Students in the UK.

If you live in the Manchester area and have a business and are thinking having a website designed for your company then you need think about a few important factors. Do you have a domain name? Do you need hosting? What is your budget? Do you need an ecommerce website with a shopping trolley to sell products? Will you need to update your site yourself in the future? Once you have answered these questions you can then go about finding a good company that offer all of these services.

Finding a competent company that has a portfolio of work is very helpful. You can look through their portfolio and see some of the websites they have designed for previous customers. The eCommerce design is very important to the success of any web site. You want to be sure that your website is designed right. One of the first things you notice about a website is whether it is pleasant to the eye. Bright flashing coloured text is very off putting as is a flash intro. A very important key is to make sure your site loads quickly. You will loose a great deal of customers if your pages take over 5 seconds to load.

It is a lot easier if you can find a company that can do everything for you. A company that can sell you the domain name as well as the hosting. Some hosting companies also offer web design which would make the whole experience a lot easier. Dealing with the same people for your domain name, hosting, email, web design makes the who process a lot easier. For one you only need one contact telephone number. A company with good customer support is a must. Not all companies offer this and this and it can be very frustrating. You want to know that if you have any trouble you can just call for customer support or technical support.

 

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Web design how important is the designer

Web Design - How Important Is The Designer?

Do you remember when developing a website was the stuff of an elite core of techno-geeks who understood a language called html? Other computer languages have been added to the mix, which has placed the personal development of a website among the stuff of myths and legends.

It can seem almost too good to be true when you hear that it may be possible to develop a website even if you have had no previous skills at website development.

If you have ever worked with word proc...

web design,site design,website development,make a website,build website

Do you remember when developing a website was the stuff of an elite core of techno-geeks who understood a language called html? Other computer languages have been added to the mix, which has placed the personal development of a website among the stuff of myths and legends.

It can seem almost too good to be true when you hear that it may be possible to develop a website even if you have had no previous skills at website development.

If you have ever worked with word processing software, signed up for an email account or other similar programs you mat be overqualified to develop your own website.

The use of a comprehensive line of website building technology places you in a world of template rich web design along with an easy to follow and customize format. This is a world where you call the shots.

I suppose there may be some who feel that using web-building technology results in an inferior design with a lack of function and beauty. However, the hard work of design is taken care of in many web design options allowing you to simply work on developing data points.

When you develop a website using web building technology you can make instantaneous changes to your website from any Internet compatible computer through an online, password protected website.

The cost difference between a traditional web designer and an online web building option can be substantial. It is not uncommon to spend Multiplied thousands of dollars to develop a website utilizing traditional web design options. When using web building options you may discover a site that may actually be superior with a cost factor that may be less than 10% of the cost of hiring a designer.

This does not take into account the various add-ons that you will be required to pay for when you hire a web designer. These elements can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of web design using a traditional web designer. In many cases web building options allow you to gain access to a shopping cart, newsletter templates, autoresponders and more.

Interestingly when a traditional web designer completes a site you may be required to work with the designer on each and every change that needs to be made. What happens when the site designer is unavailable or has a backlog of other sites that need to be done? On the other hand a web designer could set your website up so that you could change virtually every aspect of the site. How is this then different from web building technology?

Hundreds of thousands of online businesses are using web-building technology. What do they know that you dont?

 

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Web design have you forgotten the call to action

Web Design Have You Forgotten The Call To Action?

In writing there is a term called passive voice. In literature this is where the narrator TELLS the reader what is going on instead of allowing dialogue and event descriptions to SHOW the story to the reader and allow their imagination to fill in the gaps. In the first case the reader is not very involved in the action of the story, but in the second scenario they are not only invited into the full body of the story, but they feel as if they are part of the action.

In we...

web design,site design,website development,web development,make a website,build website

In writing there is a term called passive voice. In literature this is where the narrator TELLS the reader what is going on instead of allowing dialogue and event descriptions to SHOW the story to the reader and allow their imagination to fill in the gaps. In the first case the reader is not very involved in the action of the story, but in the second scenario they are not only invited into the full body of the story, but they feel as if they are part of the action.

In web design you have to find a balance between simply showing your site visitor what you have to offer and being pushy in an effort to make a sale. On approach is heavy handed and the other is a bit timid in approach.

When you TELL, but dont SHOW you wind up with a very sterile site that infuses no one with passion to make a purchase. Visitors simply leave with a lot of facts and figures they arent sure what to do with.

When you SHOW, but dont TELL you can get a visitor excited about the product without ever bringing them back to a call to action.

Lets see if this makes sense. Lets say you have a website dedicated to cosmetics. Your knowledge-based content does a great job of pulling the site visitor in on an emotional level. They learn a lot and find your site valuable. However, this visitor may well leave your website never even considering a purchase. They may have even thought the article was simply part of a site designed to extend knowledge to visitors. You have to remember that sometimes your web pages are accessed through a search engine and if there is no call to action they may exit with good information and nothing more.

A call to action at the end of your knowledge based content encourages your reader to take the information they have gleaned from your site and apply it to a purchase of products from your website (or as past of an affiliate revenue sharing program) that can tangibly enhance what they have learned.

Never be afraid to place a call to action in your website. You need to let your visitor know they can do something with what they now know.

If you are not passive about drawing your audience into an understanding of the product you should also not be passive about making it easy for your customers to take the next step.

Interestingly you cannot make the assumption that by simply describing something better you will increase your sales. While it is likely sales are predicated on knowing what you are buying there is a greater chance of a sale when someone understand the emotional tie to the product.

When you help your reader connect with your product in an active way you may find not only new customers, but also motivated repeat customers that willingly share your story and perhaps your call to action.

 

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Web design guide to creating better links

Web Design Guide To Creating Better Links

Needless to say, links are one of the most vital parts of a web page. Your web design company will definitely require you to come up with links in the sites you make to please your clients better. When people think of site contents, what generally comes to mind is the text that is written on a page. However, know that the page content also includes images and everything else relevant that is included in the page's web design.

In web design Links Reinforce Scannability

I...

Web design,website design, webdesign,RSS,Google,Marketing,SEO Services,Search Engine Optimization

Needless to say, links are one of the most vital parts of a web page. Your web design company will definitely require you to come up with links in the sites you make to please your clients better. When people think of site contents, what generally comes to mind is the text that is written on a page. However, know that the page content also includes images and everything else relevant that is included in the page's web design.

In web design Links Reinforce Scannability

It is a proven fact that online visitors who view a page are generally drawn to images. But aside from that, it is also proven that their attention is also immediately caught by links because they are underlined and set in a different colour from the rest of the text. Your web design company will strictly advice you to make your links stand out in order for them to catch the eye of your readers. Of course, your text content or web copy must able to reinforce scannability of your page. Fortunately, the addition of links that stand out well make the content even more scannable. Bear in mind during web design though that these links will only be effective if they are related to the site content and the linked text. Your web design company should know better.

Web design Tip #1: Links on Your Home Page

Unless you are web designing a site that is only made of 1 page, your home page should have links to all the other parts of your website. Bear in mind too that most online readers will scan through your home page much more than they are likely to read it, so you need to make sure that your links speak for themselves and are self-explanatory. However, avoid a home page that is made up only of links, and nothing. Doing this will defeat the purpose of scannability; the links will no longer stand out. Also, never make your link title fancy or make your readers guess where the link will lead to. Your web design company will also be pleased if you put in links to the other general pages of your site.

Web design Tip #2: General to Specific is the Way to Go

When online users search for information, they usually start from the general and eventually get more specific as they try to narrow down their search. Using the same logic, try to think of those links in your site as a funnel. You have to start with a general category at your top page and narrow it down further as your readers search for what they want.

Web design Tip #3: How to Write Links and Setting Them

Here are some tips to come up with better and more clickable links:

• Check your log files and look for a trend of what people are mostly searching your site for. Use the most commonly used words as your links to other parts of your site.


• You should also verify that your links actually go to where you have implied for them to go. Do not take the risk of ruining your client's image (and that of your web design company) by links that lie. When readers find that the information they are searching for is not there, they will leave and will not likely return.


• Write your links as clearly as possible. If you are linking to an e-book, your text should read something like "this e-Book..." Moreover, the link should actually go to a page with an e-Book in it, and not an online store or a biography of an author.


• When web designing, never make the mistake of playing games with your links. Do not put those links just for the sake of putting them. Your web design company will surely require you to put links that are as straightforward as possible. Remember that your web design company wants to be of service to readers and to the clients to whom you are making the page for. Therefore, make sure that you only put in useful links.

Create links that are incorporated into significant content. Your links should be more than just a list of links that will not make sense on the part of online users. Make sure that the links contain explanations on what it contains. If you are presenting a link that leads to more links, you need to make sure that you add in an explanation of what the readers should expect so that they will not be surprised to see a list of links. Your web design company will indeed appreciate such efforts.

 

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Web design give me bullets

Web Design: Give Me Bullets

Did you know there is an essential difference between the way web designers look at the way they design a web page and the way the consumer evaluates the effectiveness of a web design.

Comparisons

* Web Designer: Interested in every subtle nuance of color, graphic and texture.
* Consumer: Interested in how fast the page loads.

* Web Designer: Includes links throughout the design for a variety of locations within the web design.
* Consumer: Clicks on the first prom...

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Did you know there is an essential difference between the way web designers look at the way they design a web page and the way the consumer evaluates the effectiveness of a web design.

Comparisons

* Web Designer: Interested in every subtle nuance of color, graphic and texture.
* Consumer: Interested in how fast the page loads.

* Web Designer: Includes links throughout the design for a variety of locations within the web design.
* Consumer: Clicks on the first promising link and hopes its something interesting.

* Web Designer: Interested in the color coordination and presentation of design.
* Consumer: Searches for bullet points to help gauge whether the site will be useful.

Content over Creativity

In many web designs the site is built on the premise that the beauty of the site is what will win customers. The consumer, on the other hand, has seen hundreds of sites and is often only curious to know if your site is going to help them or not.

The average consumer will only read knowledge-based articles that catch their attention. Consumers often determine an articles usefulness by scanning. If they lock in on material that connects they will stick around, if not they go back to clicking for gold.

Get to the Point

Unlike a television commercial, the consumer doesnt have to wait to find out what they most want to know about your company. They can skip to the best parts, the end parts or they leave-whenever-they-want parts.

It may work to your advantage to use multiple bullet points as well as multiple sub headings in an effort to help the consumer gain a quick understanding of what is in the article or page content and to find out quickly what they want to know.

For many consumers if you cant provide these bits of detail they will keep searching until they find it.

Hurry, Were Losing Them

Obviously not all consumers are like this, but many have grown up in an MTV society where the attention span is used to quick bits of information. So, the reality of web design is you may need to work to provide quick, segmented bits of information that work as a quick index of page information that can help consumers connect with your website.

Solutions

You may find you can actually reach consumers through a template rich web design/hosting option that allows you to develop content that is geared more toward the consumer and less to the sensibilities of a web designer.

Whatever method you chose for web design make sure you attempt to gain an understanding of how consumers actually view your site. This understanding may help you discover the best ways to really connect with those who want a reason to stick around.

 

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Web design free development tool

Web Design Free Development Tool

When working on your web design you want to make sure your ecommerce business logo is a positive reflection of the work that has gone into building your site.

For some online stores there is a limited supply of financial resources from which to draw for a new logo or business graphic.

I recently stumbled across a service on the web that can provide free logos for use in any kind of application. You may wish to have a banner ad designed, a logo, a button or creative elem...

web design,site design,website development,make a website,build website

When working on your web design you want to make sure your ecommerce business logo is a positive reflection of the work that has gone into building your site.

For some online stores there is a limited supply of financial resources from which to draw for a new logo or business graphic.

I recently stumbled across a service on the web that can provide free logos for use in any kind of application. You may wish to have a banner ad designed, a logo, a button or creative elements for a print campaign.

While I have no stock or personal interest in this company I do have an interest in web design and this service provides a unique tool in developing visual material for your site.

The team at logobogo.com developed the site following the success of a sister site called radiodaddy.com. The second site allows radio professionals to voice material for podcasts, online radio stations or even traditional AM/FM stations. This is also done at no cost.

I decided to give LogoBogo a try and posted my request. Within 24 hours I had three professional choices to look at from three different designers.

There are certain rules to follow when making your request, but the fully produced material I reviewed was very well done and something I would be comfortable using.

From a pure marketing standpoint LogoBogo is a draw for professional graphic designers because it allows their work to be seen by many and can often result in paid work if the customer wants to work on additional material with the same designer. For the owners the site is filled with advertising and Google AdSense which helps pay for the site expenses and upkeep.

The LogoBogo website boasts the ability to create 3D art, traditional art, logos, banners, paintings, gaming graphics and icons.

If nothing else you have a significant brain trust that can provide tips and suggestions for the implementation of graphics within your site.

If you decide to use LogoBogo I might suggest being as specific as you can about the graphic or logo that you need. If you have special colors, fonts or sizes you need be sure to pass that information along. These designers are offering their skills at no cost. The more detail you can provide the better the chances are that your logo will reflect your desired outcome.

Website design can be a very personal exploration and locating as many useful tools as possible just makes sense. Logos and graphics can help you maximize the visual impact of your web design.

 

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Web design for the home based business

Web Design For The Home Based Business

New technology released in 2007 has made it easy for people to create their own websites and FTP upload entire pages from the tools in MS Office Suite 2007-Business Edition.

However, now that it is easy to make a website without FrontPage or DreamWeaver, there are still some elements of web design that you need to remember before publishing your site.

Tools

Both MSWord and Publisher can be used to create websites. But, like FrontPage or Dreamweaver, the page will not...

software, online, home, business

New technology released in 2007 has made it easy for people to create their own websites and FTP upload entire pages from the tools in MS Office Suite 2007-Business Edition.

However, now that it is easy to make a website without FrontPage or DreamWeaver, there are still some elements of web design that you need to remember before publishing your site.

Tools

Both MSWord and Publisher can be used to create websites. But, like FrontPage or Dreamweaver, the page will not appear the same on every browser. Anyone who wants to create their own webpage needs to download Internet Explorer (IE) and Firefox.

IE is the most popular browser in the USA. But, Firefox (Modzilla) is most popular in the world.

All images should be chanced to .75 dpi. This is easy using Windows Paint.

There are several FTP publishers. These are software programs that lift your web pages off the computer and publish them on the Internet. This is the best way to load a website. Avoid the easy tools.

Here is a quick guideline to help work at home business owners build a website which can earn money.

1. Its about the content. The only way to get listed today is to have good content, updated at least once every two weeks.

Many new business owners build a website on a few dozen keywords. They believe this brings more traffic. Unfortunately, it works backward. Too many keywords confuse search engines, reducing the websites Page Rank.

There are no keyword search engines anymore. Todays search engines are more concerned with inbound links. Instead of writing articles that have a keyword repeated a few dozen times, write an insightful article that solves problems for your readers.

The search engines not only know how many people click onto a web page, but they know how long they stay. Websites that keep readers for more than 30 seconds will rank higher.

2. Dont sell. The web visitor is not walking into a store. They do not arrive at a website thinking, I want to buy something. Instead, most of them want to be entertained, or educated. The best way to sell from a website is to solve problems. This includes things like posting the cost of a product or service, and even problems and solutions.

Avoid the long pages of testimonials. These are so out of date. Instead, add a forum to the website and let the real website visitors leave their comments.

3. Make effective use of the title and description tags. The only keywords most search engines care about are buried in the Heading Tags. Word will imbed Heading tags into a web page.

Forget the Meta keywords. They rarely play an important part in todays Search Engine Optimization.

4. Dont design in Flash or use any other cool tools. Many people do not have the tools needed to view these. If you must add a video, then upload it to and paste the code onto your page.

Search engines cannot see pictures. This means that a page full of pictures will only reduce a page rank, not increase it.

Flash creates major problems with search engine indexing. There is no way for the search engines to extract content from the website as it is all contained with in the swf file.

5 .Instill a sense of well. One of the first things most web visitors will look for is proof that the business cares about them. They want something before they are sold. It is also important to have business contact information pricing, privacy information, shipping, problem solving FAQ, and even a personal blog from the owner.

These things will improve the success of any web based business, or work at home web site.

 

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Web design for the do it yourselfer

Web Design For The Do-it-yourselfer

Many potential online business owners want to develop a powerful website that is a blending of their own personality and a potent visual presentation that will be attractive to visitors.

Interestingly, these same business developers often have very little in the way of solid direction for their site. They know they want to sell products to customers, but may not be sure how to translate that desire into a web design. This is where a web designer can come into the picture t...

web design,site design,website development,web development,make a website,build website

Many potential online business owners want to develop a powerful website that is a blending of their own personality and a potent visual presentation that will be attractive to visitors.

Interestingly, these same business developers often have very little in the way of solid direction for their site. They know they want to sell products to customers, but may not be sure how to translate that desire into a web design. This is where a web designer can come into the picture to help identify what you may actually need in the form of a web development and design.

The biggest problem with hiring a web designer is you are likely to pay a significant outlay of capital to get the site up and running and the cost continues as you essentially pay a retainer fee each month to keep the designer on hand in case of any major changes. The straightforward answer to your dilemma is your lack of planning will ultimately cost you significantly in present and future web design application and redesigning.

Is there a way to make design and development easier?

Yes.

Think about a website in terms of a family tree. Instead of the patriarch of the family at the top of the tree, you have your homepage. Under that homepage you list primary pages (instead of children). These pages may consist of features such as About Us, Contact Us, Shopping, FAQ, etc. Then you should identify how many pages you will need under each of these pages. For instance in the shopping section you should determine how many pages you need to list individual products and descriptions.

If you can work to develop a site map (something like a family tree) for your web business then you can develop the website yourself at significant savings. Whats more you can also make any changes to your website on your own without needing to work through a web host or designer (who may or may not have time to help you once the original design is finished and they have found a new client to work with).

Template rich site builders can allow you to develop your own web design. The primary difference is you will need to take some time to plan the site and then work to implement the ideas on your own.

Most of us have some idea about how a family tree works. With that same principle a new website can take shape that conforms to your own personality and offers the opportunities to use the latest in web tools to help you make your site unique and distinguishable to site visitors.

Think about it another way. If you are looking to complete a home repair you might likely look at a website designed to provide details on managing a home repair project. This information can allow you to gain the satisfaction and pride that comes with saving money and gaining a new skill.

Online tutorials can help you learn what you need to learn about web building tools for a positive, self-directed web design.

 

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Web design for search engines

Web Design For Search Engines

Summary: Search engines dont give higher rankings for a pretty site, but they do pay attention to what you say and how you say it make that your priority and the rest will fall into place.

Theres an old saying, People vote with their pocketbook. Id like to suggest they also vote with their apathy.

Current popularity choices are in a constant state of flux. There are times when site visitors seem to respond to flash technology while other times the simple site of ...

web design,site design,website development,web development,make a website,build website

Summary: Search engines dont give higher rankings for a pretty site, but they do pay attention to what you say and how you say it make that your priority and the rest will fall into place.

Theres an old saying, People vote with their pocketbook. Id like to suggest they also vote with their apathy.

Current popularity choices are in a constant state of flux. There are times when site visitors seem to respond to flash technology while other times the simple site of flash will cause them to use their back button. They just dont have the enthusiasm they need to venture through yet another animated flash design.

Sometimes visitors enjoy a stripped down site that is easy to navigate with limited bells and whistles while other times it appears sites with surprises and a graphic intense format captures attention.

The problem is knowing which format is popular at any given time. Sometimes your site design should operate independent of what seems to be gaining the most immediate attention.

I had been told about a site that had information I was interested in. I went to the site was met with a broad range of bells and whistles. I had no idea which function did what, but it looked cool and the sounds were great. I left with a sense of appreciation for complex site design, but never returned because I couldnt easily find what I needed.

You can develop a site design that is both inviting and easy to navigate. Many web designers feel that you must sometimes sacrifice one for the other, but Ive never found that to be true.

Web design is a simple mechanism that takes all your work and strains it into a comprehensive, yet condensed, representation of your greatest dreams and fondest hopes.

Sometimes the focus of the site can shift from what is most important in the overall understanding of your business idea to glamorous ways to present the site.

If you take a look you can find sites that seem to be more about looking good than they are about helping a visitor understand the business and products well enough to convert to consumer status.

Brick and mortar stores may give their showroom a facelift from time to time, but they also understand the decorations are not what makes the business. If the decorations are wonderful they may see more visitors, but they may only be interested in seeing what it looks like with little interest in whats being sold.

In web design the first things to attend to are comprehensive content and easy navigation. Any dressing up of the site can wait until you know what your site will say and how you will get from one location on the site to the next in the fewest clicks (generally no more than two).

Search engines dont give higher rankings for a pretty site, but they do pay attention to what you say and how you say it make that your priority and the rest will fall into place.

 

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Web design for novices

Web Design For Novices

Paralysis of Choice

So you want to create your first web site but are feeling more than a little daunted by the thought. First step relax. Just about everyone who has ever created a web site has been here before. The feeling is not uncommon. Perhaps one of the scariest things about the whole prospect of creating a web site is the sheer number of choices out there.

There is a phenomenon that I like to call the paralysis of choice. It goes like this give me a choice be...

website,web,how-to,design,internet,web

Paralysis of Choice

So you want to create your first web site but are feeling more than a little daunted by the thought. First step relax. Just about everyone who has ever created a web site has been here before. The feeling is not uncommon. Perhaps one of the scariest things about the whole prospect of creating a web site is the sheer number of choices out there.

There is a phenomenon that I like to call the paralysis of choice. It goes like this give me a choice between two or three items, no problem. Thats easy. But now make it a choice between twenty items and a paralysis starts to set in. There are simply too many choices! And with people afraid of making the wrong choice, they decide that the safest choice is no choice at all. At least this way, they havent made a mistake. So instead of getting wrapped-up in things like HTML, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Php, lets go more basic where there are fewer choices.

Do-It-Yourself

The first choice is whether to do it yourself or pay for someone else to do it. For many people, this one is decided by budget alone. web sites built from scratch can cost a lot of money. So lets assume that youve already decided that you want or need to do-it-yourself otherwise you probably would have already shelled out the money and wouldnt be reading this article. Am I right?

Web-Based Services

The second choice is whether to use a web-based service or to construct the web site on your own computer. Many hosting services have built-in online web site building tools. While you can certainly construct a web site, the end results are usually pretty rudimentary. This avenue is probably just fine for a little personal web site, but most likely not enough to impress more important visitors, like clients and customers.

A Step Above

A step above the online web site building tool is the stand alone program that allows you to construct a web site without knowing any HTML or other types of coding. Among the better ones is Incomedias Website X5 which comes in two flavors: Compact and Evolution. Think of these as personal and business.

You start from a number of template choices and then color combinations. Between those two elements alone, the chances of your site looking just like someone elses is pretty slim. The main idea of Website X5 is to divide each page into a grid. In each square of the grid you decide whats going to go there: text, a picture, a flash movie, or a slideshow, etc. Adding those elements is easy. Not bad. And it gets you an end product better than those online web site builders. But Im still a less than wowed.

Web Templates

OK. As is usually typical Ive saved the best for last! Unlike the canned web site templates that come with software like Microsofts FrontPage (now dubbed Expression Web); professional web site templates are much more sophisticated and give you much more control over each design element. Each template typically comes with a list of software you would need to edit the template before you buy it. Higher level templates may require specialized software like Flash. But for a typical price of between $55 and $75 for most templates, this is short money compared to paying someone to design a web site from scratch.

Most templates also come with Adobe Photoshop (PSD) files. Even the low-cost Photoshop Elements can fully edit these. The beauty of this is that for the price of less than $100 youll have the ability to edit every single little design element. This makes customizing your template much easier. For most templates, the only other software you would need is the design software like: FrontPage, Dreamweaver, Expression Web, SharePoint Designer, and more.

If youd like to add Flash elements to your website, but cant afford Macromedia Flash (now Adobe Flash) there are the poor mans alternatives like SWiSHmax. SWiSHmax allows you to create Flash (SWF) files without having Flash and costs only a fraction of the price. Take a look at SWiSHzone on the web for more information. If youd like to use SWiSH as an alternative, simply look for web templates that list SWiSH as one of the softwares.

Customizing

Many people dont realize that most templates can be professionally customized for an individual. Simply look for template customizing services where you buy your template. Since you are beginning with a template that youve picked out, you have a much better idea how its going to turn out after some custom tweaking and there are fewer surprises. Theres much less risk involved than with a web site designed from scratch.

You can generally save hundreds of dollars by starting with a template even after adding in custom tweaking if you prefer someone else to do it. Remember, youre not starting from scratch. You already have a fully function site, so the costs of editing a template are small compared with the cost of constructing a full web site.

Bottom Line

So for a novice like yourself that wants to do-it-yourself, you basically have three choices: 1) use a web-based service like the one than probably comes with your webhosting plan, 2) use standalone software like Incomedias Website X5, or 3) start with a web site template. The results you can expect will probably increase in quality in the same order.

 

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Web design facts

Web Design Facts

Fact 1:We cant deny the fact that when browsers enter a site, they look for something that is relevant to their needs. If they ended in a particular site through advertisements, then they would expect to see something related to that ad.

Fact 2:On the other hand, when a search engine scans a sites contents, it looks for contents which are useful enough for other sites to reference. It expects to locate a content that is consistent with the keywords.

Fact 3:Moreover, v...

Web Design, SEO, HTML, Design

Fact 1:We cant deny the fact that when browsers enter a site, they look for something that is relevant to their needs. If they ended in a particular site through advertisements, then they would expect to see something related to that ad.

Fact 2:On the other hand, when a search engine scans a sites contents, it looks for contents which are useful enough for other sites to reference. It expects to locate a content that is consistent with the keywords.

Fact 3:Moreover, visitors who go to a shopping cart would expect to find photos with high quality, a variety of applicable views and lastly, a concise and clear description and costs. They also expect that the cart should work in all types of browsers.

But sad to say, some viewers do not find what they need in a website or sometimes they have a hard time going around the site. The following things should make you aware on the things why web sites fail.

One fact that web designers must know is that people wouldnt enter your site unless they know their way around it.
Due to this concern, web designers must take into consideration that they need to conceptualize user friendly and easy to understand websites. For most customers or viewers, very extravagant design wont matter as long as they dont get lost in your site.

Your competitors are just a click away

When designing your web site, think very carefully on things that could give you a plus over your competitors. Think of the things that you can offer your customers in order for them to stay on your site and choose you above all else.

People hate slow websites

Designers must understand that searchers can be very impatient when surfing through sites in the Internet. Therefore, designers must find a way to minimize the slowness of websites and at the same time offer viewers with quality contents.

Searchers look for relevant information

Dr. Jim Jansen of Penn States School of Information Sciences and Technology said, A web site has to be relevant to a searchers needs. Otherwise, by the time three minutes have elapsed, 40 percent of searchers will have moved on. While some may have found what they wanted, others may simply have given up and move to a different site." When designing web pages, designers cant help but become graphic artists with the aim to make your site look great but sometimes lacking in information. Therefore, remember that while it is important to make your site attractive, it is equally important to place in your site the information that visitors need.

Sites should have clear abstracts

The first thing that appears on the result page as an answer to a search engine query is the sites abstract. The abstract explains everything about your site. According to a study done by Penn State, more users or searchers can be drawn to a site with the use of an abstract. That is if the abstract is informative enough and gives relevant and enticing information about the site. Dr. Jim Jansen said, "For site developers, if you want to be looked at, it is absolutely critical that the abstract be crystal clear about the purpose of your Web site."

 

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Web design extreme makeover

Web Design Extreme Makeover

The development of a web design must be intentional and with purpose. I know this runs counter to any idea of freeform and learning as you go, but there is a solid reason for making sure you know where youre going before you try to get there.

Because Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies can take so long to have a pronounced effect on your website, and subsequently your traffic, it becomes important to make sure your website matches your objectives by at least 85% b...

web design,site design,website development,web development,make a website,build website

The development of a web design must be intentional and with purpose. I know this runs counter to any idea of freeform and learning as you go, but there is a solid reason for making sure you know where youre going before you try to get there.

Because Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies can take so long to have a pronounced effect on your website, and subsequently your traffic, it becomes important to make sure your website matches your objectives by at least 85% before you launch it.

If you need to take time to learn as you go then try doing so through an affiliate revenue program and a site designed for that purpose. Using web builder technology you can build a site at little expense while exploring the possibilities in design and function.

What you learn from this exercise can assist you in bridging the gap between experiment and experience. This will be important as you consider diving into ecommerce.

Some of the standard pitfalls for most web designs are that the pages have already been established and you know what you want to put into each page, but you dont actually finish the content before you launch. What you end up with is an opening page that gives the consumer high expectations and subsequent pages that are either blank or have the dreaded words, Coming Soon or Under Construction.

This can be a death wish for your website. Complete it before you release it online. Call in help from freelancers if you need to, utilize free article directories when appropriate, ask advice from someone you trust who has been through web designs and make sure every page is functional and informative.

You wouldnt start a brick and mortar business without the racks, merchandise and essential items to make your business wholly presentable to customers. Imagine, if you will, a business that placed two 55 gallon steel drums on the floor of their showroom and them placed a couple of 2x12 wooden planks on top to display their latest high dollar jewelry while a couple of mismatched chairs sit in the corner for customer convenience.

This would never instill trust in the product or the personality behind the business and the same is true of a half finished website designed for the consumer.

When you present a fully optimized website that is developed with both the consumer as well as the search engines in mind you stand a much better chance at reaching both of them successfully.

Unlike a brick and mortar store you do not have to live with the sign, Pardon our mess. You can develop a new website offline and upgrade the entire system when you need to.

This article is really for both existing businesses as well as businesses planning to launch. If you have an existing business online, but your website is not what it needs to be block out some time right now to begin web design on an entirely new site. You can redirect your domain when youre ready, but web-building technology can help you achieve that next level in site design that will make the important marketing connections you need to really get noticed online.

 

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Web design elements you should avoid

Web Design Elements You Should Avoid

As a web designer, you should design your websites to give your visitors the greatest ease of use, the best impression and most important of all a welcoming experience.

It doesn't matter if you had the greatest product in the whole world -- if your website is poorly done you won't be able to sell even one copy of it because visitors will be driven off your website by the lousy design.

When I'm talking about a "good design", I'm not only talking about a good graphical de...

internet marketing,viral marketing,web traffic,traffic generation,affiliates,web design

As a web designer, you should design your websites to give your visitors the greatest ease of use, the best impression and most important of all a welcoming experience.

It doesn't matter if you had the greatest product in the whole world -- if your website is poorly done you won't be able to sell even one copy of it because visitors will be driven off your website by the lousy design.

When I'm talking about a "good design", I'm not only talking about a good graphical design.

A professional web design will be able to point out that there are many components which contribute to a good website design -- accessibility design, interface or layout design, user experience design and of course the most straightforward, which is graphic design.

Hence, I have highlighted some features of the worst web designs I've come across. Hopefully, you will be able to compare that against your own site as a checklist and if anything on your site fits the criteria, you should know it's high time to take serious action!

1) Background music

Unless you are running a site which promotes a band, a CD or anything related to music, I would really advise you to stay away from putting looping background music onto your site.

It might sound pleasant to you at first, but imagine if you ran a big site with hundreds of pages and everytime a visitor browses to another page on your site, the background music starts playing again.

If I were your visitor, I'd just turn off my speakers or leave your site. Moreover, they just add to the visitors burden when viewing your site -- users on dial up connections will have to wait longer just to view your site as it is meant to be viewed.

 

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Web design content procurement

Web Design: Content Procurement

There is a debate among web design experts as to who is responsible for procuring content for the website. Many professionals want the content to be the responsibility of the site owner. The reasoning is simple the site owner should have a better understanding of the site products or services than the web designer.

The other side to the argument is that the web designer needs to assist the site owner in obtaining original knowledge-based articles to compliment the site. ...

web design,site design,website development,make a website,build website,affiliate program

There is a debate among web design experts as to who is responsible for procuring content for the website. Many professionals want the content to be the responsibility of the site owner. The reasoning is simple the site owner should have a better understanding of the site products or services than the web designer.

The other side to the argument is that the web designer needs to assist the site owner in obtaining original knowledge-based articles to compliment the site. In this scenario the web designer also works with freelance writers to develop all site content. This includes everything from How To articles to the About Us and Home Page sections.

Many web designers are interested in developing the look of the website without being responsible for what the content says. However, more and more web design experts are beginning to offer full content services as part of their monthly or annual contracts. Obviously the customer bears all costs related to the content, but many entrepreneurs enjoy less work in site management.

One element to this that you should consider is that the web designer will charge you a content fee. The content request is assigned and purchased from a third party freelance writer at a lesser amount. You could pay 100% more than you might if you had worked with a freelance writer on your own.

From this standpoint it makes sense for web design professionals to provide the service because it provides an added revenue stream for them.

If, as an ecommerce business, you can write or have someone write original content you may actually have greater options you can consider when it comes to web design.

One of the most readily available forms of content is free-to-use article directories. These articles can be used provided you make sure to place all content on your site. This will likely include a brief author biography along with a link to the authors website. In most cases this is a reasonable exchange for the use of the article.

A secondary source could be adaptable content from a supplier. This information is generally provided at no cost due to your partnership with the supplier.

A third source is to go directly to a freelance writing source to gain your own original articles.

If one or more of these options is workable you may find a template rich web design/host is an alternative that is cost effective and empowering.

Youll notice I said empowering. This comment was made because of the satisfaction of being able to immediately addressing and altering multiple aspects of the site on your own and without the need for knowledge in html or other coding language can help you take ownership of your own site.

Perhaps it all comes down to your budget and to your willingness and ability to manage the content requirements of your website.

 

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Web design choice of fixed width vs liquid layouts

Web Design Choice Of Fixed Width vs Liquid Layouts

If you have worked long enough for your web design company, or if you have tried designing a site on your own, you should already know by now that there are two kinds of web page layouts that you can choose from. Fixed width layouts are those wherein the width of the entire web page is set at a specific value, while liquid layouts are those wherein the width is flexible depending on how wide the online visitor's browser is. Choosing between these two layout methods can be a l...

Web design,website design, webdesign,RSS,Google,Marketing,SEO Services,Search Engine Optimization

If you have worked long enough for your web design company, or if you have tried designing a site on your own, you should already know by now that there are two kinds of web page layouts that you can choose from. Fixed width layouts are those wherein the width of the entire web page is set at a specific value, while liquid layouts are those wherein the width is flexible depending on how wide the online visitor's browser is. Choosing between these two layout methods can be a little difficult for a web designer, as each has its own benefits and deficiencies. Let us look through each and discover everything you need to know for you to make the right choice.

Fixed width layouts allow you to start with a specific size that you set. This allows you better and direct control so that you know how your page will look like, at least most of the time. They work best if you work with print backgrounds, as they allow for minute adjustments in the layout without inconsistencies across browsers and operating systems. On the other hand, with a liquid layout, you base the layout on a percentage of the browser's current window size. Liquid layouts allows for an efficient use of space given by any browser window or screen resolution. They are often used by web designers who want to get as much information across in a very limited space. Your web design company may ask you to choose one from the other depending on the needs of your client.

What is at stake for you and for your web design company when you choose between these two windows? Well, the method you choose has a large bearing not only on the final site design and aesthetics, but will also affect the ability of your online visitors to scan through the contents of your site. Furthermore, the layout can affect the ease, by which readers will find what they are looking for in the page, and can also reinforce or ruin your marketing efforts in the website. Thus, your web design company may stress the importance of choosing the right one depending on the message that the client wants to communicate across.

The web design Benefits and the Drawbacks

To help you and your web design company to decide on which to use, I will present the benefits and the drawbacks for each type of layout.

Fixed Width Layout

1. The web design Benefits

I. Allows you to come up with pages that look entirely identical no matter who is browsing and what type of browser is being used.

II. Elements such as images and graphics will not tend to overpower the text contents especially in smaller monitors.

III. No matter how wide the visitors browser is, the scan length will not be affected when there are large segments of text.

2. The web design Drawbacks

I. They will cause horizontal scrolling in small browser windows. Users generally dislike having to scroll horizontally.

II. Fixed width layouts usually result to large coverage of whitespace in large monitors such that there is a waste of unused space, and further vertical scrolling may be needed than necessary.

III. This layout can not deal with font size changes quite well. A small increase in the font may be tolerated, but larger increases can not be handled well that your overall layout may become compromised.

Liquid Width Layouts

1. The web design Benefits

I. This layout can contract and expand to fill in all available space on the page.

II. All available space is used up, thereby allowing you to display as much content as you need to in larger monitors, yet still remain viewable on smaller ones.

III. This layout can provide you consistency in relative widths, therefore allowing your page to respond dynamically to restrictions and specifications that may be imposed by your client, such as larger font sizes.

2. The web design Drawbacks

I Liquid layouts do not offer precise control over the page width and the elements on the page.

II. This layout may result to columns in the text which are either too wide for comfortable scanning, or too small for the text to show up very clearly.

III. Liquid layouts tend to have problems when dealing with elements in the page which has fixed width (i.e. image and graphics). If the column does not have enough space, some browsers may increase the column width, and all other elements in your page may not be in the proper order.

Many designers usually go for the mixed approach. You web design company may also suggest you to use both layouts depending on the page and the part of the site you are making. You can, for example, set your main columns to fixed width but make your side columns, headers and footers more flexible. With time and experience, you will eventually learn how to make the most out of the features of each layout type to come up with an optimized site.

 

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Web design breaking down the walls

Web Design Breaking Down The Walls

The Internet has broken down multiple walls between cultures, generations and economic boundaries. The Internet is available to anyone. While this is certainly a powerful dynamic this article is not about your ability to connect with a worldwide consumer base.

The broken down walls that Im talking about come in the form of access to a wide variety of talented freelancers who can kick your website up a notch.

An online business owner can tap into the developed talent po...

web design,site design,website development,web development,make a website,build website

The Internet has broken down multiple walls between cultures, generations and economic boundaries. The Internet is available to anyone. While this is certainly a powerful dynamic this article is not about your ability to connect with a worldwide consumer base.

The broken down walls that Im talking about come in the form of access to a wide variety of talented freelancers who can kick your website up a notch.

An online business owner can tap into the developed talent pool featuring writers, photographers, code experts and video and audio streaming specialists. All of whom can bring their own wealth of expertise to any given project or collaboration.

Let me give you an example of these broken down walls. In the world of publishing there are writers who send in material to be reviewed with the potential for publishing. Often what is sent is not a close enough fit with what the publishing company feels they need. Many publishers have begun to use the internet to network with writers, illustrators, editors and fact checkers to develop projects on a work for hire basis that allows the publishing company to draw from a countrywide talent pool to develop a singular project that closely aligns with their original idea for publishing.

This is the same concept for web design. You have the ability to work with global talent to match your needs when it comes to your site design and content needs utilizing experts in the specific design elements you may need.

Not everyone is gifted in all areas of site design. Typically a web designer is gifted at layout, but may not be overly conscious of what makes for good content. On the other hand a content producer may not be especially interested in learning how to make the words look nice in the finished page design. Online graphic art companies like istock and clipart.com allow you to find artistic elements that compliment your site design while remaining cost effective and as non-intrusive as you need them to be.

By the very nature of freelancing a solid team can be put together that works for your good. If you had to hire each of these professionals to work in your firm the cost would likely be prohibitive, but when called upon these professionals can perform the needed tasks efficiently and affordably.

There is something satisfying about developing and completing a project all by yourself, but if you dont have the patience or maybe even the expertise youd like when it comes to web design and functionality then it might be time to call in the freelancers. The good news is they work for you only when you need them. When you get to the point where you can manage some of the design elements on your own then you simply stop contacting the freelancers for help the area you have become skilled in.

Freelancers fill in the gaps until you are ready to do it yourself, but its also good to know they are just a click away whenever you need to reassemble to team.

 

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Web design be an architect

Web Design: Be An Architect

Architecture is a word often used to describe the execution of knowledge-based content in web design. Architecture is actually a very good term to use because when you work at developing content for your ecommerce site you can either throw it together in a haphazard way or you be very deliberate about how you construct your knowledge-based web pages.

A Common Mistake

One of the mistakes that seems to be repeated most often is thinking your web pages need to function...

web design,site design,website development,make a website,build website

Architecture is a word often used to describe the execution of knowledge-based content in web design. Architecture is actually a very good term to use because when you work at developing content for your ecommerce site you can either throw it together in a haphazard way or you be very deliberate about how you construct your knowledge-based web pages.

A Common Mistake

One of the mistakes that seems to be repeated most often is thinking your web pages need to function in much the same way as an ebook. In this scenario the web pages are difficult for casual viewers to use because there is so much information. Instead of a few hundred words, these pages include content that well exceeds 2,000 words. The reason this is a mistake is that the casual reader is looking for quick bites of information they can scan to determine its usefulness.

The eyes of your site visitors act as a racecar driver looking for signs that lead them to the racetrack. If your visitor doesnt find what they are looking for they will take the exit ramp.

How to manage significant content

The management of site content should be thought of as a block of cheese for a party. No one is very interested in the cheese block by itself, but when it is cut up into bit-sized nuggets the cheese begins to disappear.

This is the best picture of the knowledge content of your website. The content as a whole presents a strong case for your online company, but it is less likely that site visitors will do much content consuming. When you can break your content into smaller identifiable chunks that can be consumed in the order of interest and over multiple sittings if needed the more likely the consumer is to consume.

You can provide architecture for web design that allows your content to flow from one subject to a complimentary subject with easy navigational links. This systematic approach to passing along information to sample and explore is a very positive way to move your site from little used to highly valued.

Conclusion

Knowledge-based content has become a key component to both web design as well as Search Engine Optimization (SEO). A comprehensive, yet segmented, knowledge-based article warehouse can be a strong support for your website. If you are selling a product that is defined in the article you can, and should, provide internal links to allow the consumer to go directly to your ecommerce store for purchase if they so chose. Make it easy for your customers to take information and use it to facilitate a purchase.

 

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Web design basics

Web Design Basics

When designing something, a designer should first go through the basics of designing. Whether he is designing a print design or web design, he must know the dos and do not's. The following items will help you know the basics of web designing as well as some techniques that are specific to coming out with the best web layout.

1. Create a design that seems friendly.

There are actually a lot of web designs that scare people away and not attract them. If you want people to ...

Web Design, SEO, HTML, Design

When designing something, a designer should first go through the basics of designing. Whether he is designing a print design or web design, he must know the dos and do not's. The following items will help you know the basics of web designing as well as some techniques that are specific to coming out with the best web layout.

1. Create a design that seems friendly.

There are actually a lot of web designs that scare people away and not attract them. If you want people to return to your website, make it soothing and light. Keep your site as friendly as possible.

2. Create a great homepage

When designing your website, you should keep in mind to conceptualize a homepage that would attract your viewers. Remember that the first page that your customers see can also be the last. So learn to create a page that will attract your visitors attention and then draw them deeper into your site.

3. Keep in mind the principles in designing web sites

Remember to apply your design principles such as balance, contrast, emphasis, rhythm and unity. This will serve as your guide and will help you conceptualize a good web design.

4. Think small in terms of graphics

Slow pages can be really very annoying. Whether you like it or not, one cause of slowing the pages is large graphics. To avoid such problem think of using images with a size of 10-12 kb.

5. Use graphics that fit the content

Just because you have a wonderful picture of you and your boyfriend doesnt mean that you should include it on your website. Use images that are appropriate and that connect with your sites content.

6. Dont use blinking images

There have been studies proving that blinking images actually annoy people. If you want to use them, though, use them sparingly. You wouldnt want your site viewers to leave your page just because of an annoying blinking image.

7. Stay with standard layouts

Try to use a layout that is simple as possible. The 3-column layout might sound corny and boring but it helps to keep your readers stay where they are and keep reading your sites contents. Keep in mind that readers and site viewers stick with things that are simple and easy to understand.

8. Use standard fonts and limit the number of different fonts

Use standard fonts such as Arial, Verdana, Geneva, and Helvetica. They might seem too familiar but they look better on most browsers. Now, you dont have to worry whether your fonts will work or not.

9. Dont be greedy

Though ads help you make money by posting them on your site, keep in mind that people visit your site because of their perceived content and not because of the ads that you put in it. For all you know, these ads may drive your viewers away, if they are too many, and could possibly make you lose money.

10. Remember your readers

Understand that, unless youre writing a site for yourself, your sites content should include topics that your viewers might want to read.

 

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Web design basics you want to know

Web Design Basics You Want To Know

Here are some of the basics of web design that you should know on your own without your web design company having to teach you:

Web Design- on Graphics

Always think small. In order to optimize your page and avoid slow loading pages, make sure you set your graphics to a file size of only about 10 to 12KB per image. It is true though that broadband technology have advanced leading to increase of speed, but the number of broadband users are increasing at a steady rate as...

Web design,website design, webdesign,RSS,Google,Marketing,SEO Services,Search Engine Optimization

Here are some of the basics of web design that you should know on your own without your web design company having to teach you:

Web Design- on Graphics

• Always think small. In order to optimize your page and avoid slow loading pages, make sure you set your graphics to a file size of only about 10 to 12KB per image. It is true though that broadband technology have advanced leading to increase of speed, but the number of broadband users are increasing at a steady rate as well. Slow pages are always annoying, and no doubt your web design company will agree with this.


• Use graphics that are suitable to the page content. Adorable pictures should not be posted on the page just because they are adorable. Make sure that all your graphics have something to do with the site. An exception will be on design images, which are made up of photos and graphics that make up the page design and have nothing to do with the content.


• Minimize the use of blinking, rotating, flashing or changing images or graphics. These types are the ones which annoy and distract people the most. You need your online visitors to look at the contents of the page, and not get distracted by these graphics.

Web Design- On Layout

• Try to get by with standard layouts. I have seen them all: from those pages with eight frames, to those which you need to scroll to the right then downwards. These layouts are novel and cute, but they are pretty darn confusing. The reason why your web design company suggests the use of the standard 3-column layout is because it is what works well with the general audience. The same is true for newspapers and other media print. This can prove to be boring, but you have to bear with it to make sure you do not drive your visitors nuts.


• Pay attention to whitespace. You should know that whitespace is not just a CSS property, but is one of the functions of your layout. The whitespace actually has a bearing on how the page content is viewed, and is just as important in your web page layout as it obviously is in paper.


• Use graphics as actual elements in your layouts. If you use graphics as actual element in your page layout, it serves a far better role.

Web Design- On Fonts

• Use standard fonts. You can get by using Serif for your headlines and Sans-Serif for your actual text. Do not wonder if your web design company advises the use of this font family. Serif fonts are actually easier to read on monitors than it is in print since screen resolution is lower in the former.


• Minimize the use of different fonts. It is undeniable that ages with varying fonts here and there look like they are made by an amateur. Doing this will not make your web design company very happy. Try to limit your site and page to about two or a maximum of three standard font families. Trust me; they look a lot more professional.


• Use only standard fonts. You can use rare fonts that look pretty good. However, the chances that your online visitors will have the same font installed in their system might be low. If you stick will general fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana, your pages will look better and your designs will likely be in the right places once they are viewed.

Web Design- On Advertising

Never be greedy of advertisements. Yes, you and your web design company have the actual control over the ads that can be placed on the site. However, know that your readers do not visit your page to read the ads, but they need significant content. Do not overwhelm them with ads that overshadow the content of your site, or you might tend to lose their interest immediately. Instead, keep them small and subtle (no flashy ads, please), but relevant and strategically placed to draw attention.

Web Design is about remembering Your Readers

• Make sure to test your page in different browsers and operating system combinations. Your web design company requires you to come up with sites that are viewable and effective. Coming up with a page that is only compatible with the most modern browser and the latest operating system is simply unacceptable. Make sure that your page design is compatible with as many browser and OS system combinations as possible.


• Write the content that readers want. Remember that you are making a website that is not for yourself, but for your readers. So make sure that you create content that covers topics that your visitors would like to read. Your web design company will appreciate this as well.

 

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Web design appealing to the hunter

Web Design: Appealing To The Hunter

On an early fall morning a hunter quietly makes his way through the vegetation as he follows the trail of deer. He recognizes the signs and knows that if he is quiet enough he may see one of the elegant beasts. He passed some fine specimen of sagebrush along the way and even a few particularly nice cedar trees, but his mind was on his prey not the particular varieties of flora he encountered.

Website Hunting

Believe it or not the scenario above is very similar to the wa...

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On an early fall morning a hunter quietly makes his way through the vegetation as he follows the trail of deer. He recognizes the signs and knows that if he is quiet enough he may see one of the elegant beasts. He passed some fine specimen of sagebrush along the way and even a few particularly nice cedar trees, but his mind was on his prey not the particular varieties of flora he encountered.

Website Hunting

Believe it or not the scenario above is very similar to the way many web consumers approach your website. Sure you may have some really nice things to say, but they are on the hunt for something specific and they dont have time to read everything you place on your website.

When it comes to web design you should always make full use of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies, but you should also follow that up with several of the keywords or phrases that you used as the target of your site in bold throughout your website and/or web page.

How to Reach Hunters

Since most consumers are hunters you might also do well to include increased fonts sizes for headings that help consumers locate the information they are most interested in. This isnt the only information that is important on your site it is just the information that is most important to your hunting visitor.

Your site visitor is likely going to scan through your web pages seeking the information they want. If you make this difficult for your visitor to find they will hunt elsewhere.

No Hunting Expected

Weve all done online searches for a specific topic and then started visiting sites only to discover some with thousands of words and no reasonable way to scan through the text to find the information most needed. It is quite probable these sites have a wealth of information that would be beneficial, but the hunters are few and far between.

Give Me a Trail

Web users are trained hunters. If our web design efforts provide dense terrain with little sign of where the object of the hunt can be found the hunter will find other hunting ground.

If our web design strategies can help lead users to what they want they will leave satisfied and are willing to come back again where they know the hunting is good.

If you have content written for you make sure the freelance author understand the goal of the content they are writing. Most freelance writers should be able to provide multiple headings to help visitors pinpoint the information they are most interested in.

 

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